Royals sign Jason Donald, Melky Mesa to minor-league deals

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/28/2013)The Royals announced Saturday that they have signed infielder Jason Donald and outfielder Melky Mesa to minor-league contracts.

Donald hit .219/.268/.319 with two home runs and 17 RBI in 251 at-bats with Double-A Louisville last season. He owns a career .257/.309/.362 batting line over 552 major-league at-bats. Mesa went 5 for 13 in his brief time with the Yankees last season while also hitting .261/.295/.452 with 13 home runs, 39 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 314 at-bats with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yankees designated Melky Mesa for assignment

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(9/1/2013)The Yankees have designated outfielder Melky Mesa for assignment Sunday, the New York Post reports.

Mesa spent five games with the Yankees back in July and went 5 for 13 (.385) with one RBI. Mesa was hitting just .261 down at Triple-A, however.

Melky Mesa sent down for Curtis Granderson

by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

(8/2/2013)The Yankees optioned outfielder Melky Mesa to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday, to make room on the active roster for the activation of Curtis Granderson from the disabled list.

Mesa appeared in five games after his call up, going 5 for 13 with two doubles and one RBI.

Melky Mesa gets the call

Mesa has just two major-league at-bats under his belt from last season, and was hitting just .249 with a .702 OPS in 245 at-bats at Triple-A.

Melky Mesa heading to Triple-A

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(3/29/2013)The Yankees have optioned outfielder Melky Mesa to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday. Mesa went .228 with three home runs, 10 RBI and three steals in 57 at-bats this spring.

Yankees have two dark-horse candidates for outfield

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(3/17/2013)The Journal News suggests Sunday that after Matt Diaz was reassigned by the Yankees, Thomas Neal could be a dark-horse candidate to make the team as a right-handed outfielder. Melky Mesa also seems to remain in the mix for a roster spot at this point.

The 25-year-old Neal is batting .286 this spring with a homer and four RBI over 28 at-bats and has also stole two bases. Mesa is batting .175 with two homers, five RBI and two steals over 40 at-bats.

Mesa with eye on the prize

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(3/2/2013)Yankees outfielder Melky Mesa has decided to opt out of playing for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, reports the Journal News Saturday. Mesa would prefer to stay with the Yankees to try and take advantage of the opening in left field with Curtis Granderson injured. Mesa went back and forth with the decision before ultimately deciding to stay.

Mesa an option in LF?

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/25/2013)Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters Monday the team is not looking for a long-term solution while Curtis Granderson misses the start of the season due to a fractured forearm. Girardi seemed to be leaning toward non-roster invitees Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera to potentially platoon in left field while Granderson recovers. Girardi added Melky Mesa is the best defensive option to replace Granderson and Zolio Almonte could also figure into the team's plans. Mesa and Almonte are already on the 40-man roster. Girardi made it clear, however, prospects Slade Heathcott and Tyler Austin will not be in the mix.